young and sweet, only seventeen

tea in owl mug and zucchini raspberry chocolate cupcakes that are recklessly delicious

I have now been seventeen for over a week. Almost two weeks, in fact.

I'll admit, I was sad to leave sixteen behind. It really is a dreamy age, the epitome of the teenage years. And it went so fast.

But seventeen's not so bad. 'specially when you have reallycompletelytotallyutterly amazing family and friends who make your birthday reallycompletelytotallyutterly special.

[Just a side note: I'm just love being born in October. Every flavor, every scent, every sound of this month thrills me to the core.]

Started out the morning with a Panera Bread treat my mom had tucked away in the freezer. Then went for a perfect run that made me feel justified in eating birthday yummies.

Lunch with Dad (always a highlight) and we talked about college and life and stuff like that.

School all afternoon.

Birthday feast for dinner: Caramel Apple Pork Chops, Nana's Mashed Potatoes, Mom's Chalah Bread, Grammy's Veggie Salad. It was h-eaven-ly.

This looks appropriate for a 21-year-old birthday picture, not a 17-year-old birthday picture. Don't worry, it's sparkling peach juice :-)

Opened many special gifts. Felt really, really blessed.

AND THEN.

My life was changed as my mom handed me a little silver box.

Inside was a note that read, "May He direct all your paths."

And

Then

There

Was

A

Key

To

My

Very

Own


Lime Green VW Bug.

The car I've dreamed of forever, and never thought I'd ever ride in, much less OWN.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Yup.

I'm one blessed young lady.